US7559668B1 - Floating mirror - Google Patents
Floating mirror Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US7559668B1 US7559668B1 US11/197,871 US19787105A US7559668B1 US 7559668 B1 US7559668 B1 US 7559668B1 US 19787105 A US19787105 A US 19787105A US 7559668 B1 US7559668 B1 US 7559668B1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- frame
- mirror
- support
- light sources
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G1/00—Mirrors; Picture frames or the like, e.g. provided with heating, lighting or ventilating means
- A47G1/02—Mirrors used as equipment
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A47G
- A47G2200/08—Illumination
Definitions
- This invention is directed to an aesthetically pleasing back lighting assembly used with mirrors, in general, and to a back lighting assembly which, in its preferred embodiment, illuminates the entire peripheral dimension of a mirror which has translucent edges, in particular.
- a design that illuminates only two or three of the translucent edges is also envisioned.
- circular fixtures To eliminate this objectionable dark spot behind the translucent area of the outer perimeter of the mirror, circular fixtures have previously been introduced. Those fixtures use “circular fluorescent lamps,” “circle-line” lamps have a single point of electrical connection. The fluorescent tube is formed into a round 360-degree figure. Nevertheless, even uniform illumination is not achieved behind the outer perimeter of the translucent portion of the mirror because of a dark spot where the socket termination occurs.
- This invention is a back lit mirror apparatus.
- the mirror comprises a piece of silvered glass (or a typical mirror) with at least a portion of the perimeter thereof treated to remove the silver backing. Typically, the effected portion of the perimeter of the mirror is rendered translucent to reduce glare and to produce an attractive appearance.
- a frame for supporting the glass (mirror) also supports light sources (typically fluorescent bulbs or tubes) which are mounted so as to overlap each other at the corners of the frame in order to provide a fully illuminated perimeter of the treated mirror glass.
- the invention uses standard linear fluorescent lamps that are in common usage and are readily available.
- the length of the conventional light source can dictate the physical dimension of a square or rectangular fixture.
- Other shapes with linear, three, six or other multi-sided configurations are contemplated.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the floating mirror apparatus of the instant invention showing the general arrangement of the significant components of the application.
- FIG. 2 is a partially broken away, detailed sectional view of the bottom of the support frame for the floating mirror apparatus of the instant invention.
- FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the overlapping end construction of the support frame and the overlapping ends of the light sources of the floating mirror of the instant invention
- FIG. 1 there is shown an exploded view of the floating mirror assembly 10 of the instant invention.
- the assembly 10 comprises a mirror 100 , a mirror support sheet 200 , a support frame 300 , a mounting plate 400 with a plurality of fluorescent tube brackets (or socket supports) 305 - 312 and a support rack 500 .
- Fluorescent tubes to be mounted in the brackets and specific details of some of the components are omitted in this view.
- the mirror 100 is, typically, made of a sheet of glass 102 with a silvered backing. Any conventional mirror can be utilized.
- a peripheral border 103 is formed around the outer edge of the glass by removing (or initially omitting) the silver backing for a prescribed distance from the edge of the mirror. In typical applications, the border is about 3′′ wide although this dimension is not limitative of the invention and is subject to aesthetic tastes.
- the border 103 is, preferably, rendered translucent by sandblasting (or the like) during removal of the silver backing.
- the back of the glass can be acid etched or the like. Other methods of rendering the glass translucent are contemplated.
- Mirror support sheet 200 is a sheet of metal or other suitable material of sufficient strength to support mirror 100 thereon. As best seen in FIG. 2 , the edges of the support (or backing) sheet 200 are bent or otherwise formed to provide a strengthening edge to the sheet. In addition, the formed edges include an appropriate lip 201 (see FIG. 2 ) to interlock with ridges formed in the support frame 300 as described infra.
- the mirror 100 is attached to sheet 200 by a suitable adhesive which is represented by layer 202 on the surface of sheet 200 .
- the adhesive 202 can be applied in strips or any other suitable configuration.
- the support frame 300 is, typically, fabricated of metal such as, but not limited to, aluminum or the like.
- the support frame 300 includes horizontal brackets 301 and 302 as well as vertical brackets 303 and 304 .
- a detailed showing of the structure of the bottom bracket is provided in FIG. 2 .
- the horizontal and vertical brackets are joined together at the ends thereof to form the support frame 300 which is adapted to be attached to mounting plate 400 .
- the brackets (or support frame sides) exhibit a reflective finish such as glossy white paint or the like as described infra.
- the brackets 301 - 304 include a reflective shield 375 which extends outwardly therefrom (see FIG. 2 ).
- each of the reflective shields has an arcuate configuration to impart a convex outer configuration to the support frame.
- Socket supports 305 - 312 are individually mounted at the ends of the horizontal and vertical brackets 301 through 304 .
- each of the individual socket supports (for example socket support 305 ) extends outwardly beyond the end of the respective bracket (for example, bracket 303 ).
- the respective socket supports on intersecting brackets extend outwardly from the ends of brackets and, effectively, cross each other.
- the socket supports do not extend (and are not visible) beyond the edges of the mirror 100 .
- the light sources which are mounted in the light sockets are positioned behind the translucent border 103 portion of the mirror 101 essentially from edge-to-edge.
- Mounting plate 400 is, typically, a sheet of metal or other suitable material of sufficient strength to support the apparatus 10 .
- the mounting plate 400 is attached to the support frame 300 , for example by welding or any other suitable means.
- the plate 400 includes at least one aperture 401 therethrough for mounting directly to a wall or to a suitable support structure such as mounting bracket 500 described infra.
- a suitable support structure such as mounting bracket 500 described infra.
- any suitable mounting technique and apparatus can be utilized.
- a suitable support rack 500 can be mounted to the supporting wall by screws, toggle bolts, molly bolts or the like.
- the support rack includes three mounting hooks 501 .
- the mounting plate 400 includes three apertures 401 which engage the hooks 501 wherein the apparatus 10 is adapted to be attached to the support rack 500 , if desired.
- the electrical connections, ballasts and the like can be mounted on plate 400 within the receptacle space 350 formed by the assembled brackets which form frame 300 .
- FIG. 2 there is shown a partially broken away, partial cross-sectional view of the floating mirror assembly 10 .
- the support frame 300 is an assembly formed by joining together the ends of side brackets 301 - 304 (in this rectilinear embodiment) and the mounting plate 400 .
- the receptacle space 350 (see FIG. 1 ) is, typically, rectilinear as defined by the frame 300 .
- At least one of the frame brackets e.g., bracket 302 which forms the bottom of the frame 300 , includes a plurality of ledges substantially perpendicular to a main planar body 325 .
- Ledges 326 and 327 are substantially parallel to each other and form a groove 365 therebetween along the length of the frame 300 .
- the groove 365 is adapted to receive the lower lip 201 of the mirror support sheet 200 (to which the mirror 100 is attached).
- the mirror support sheet assembly is then placed in position within the fixture frame 300 and retained in position by screws or other suitable fasteners which are applied at or through holes in the fixture frame 300 , typically towards the top of the frame sections 303 and 304 , as suggested by the screws 357 and 358 shown in FIG. 1 .
- ledge 328 extends substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 325 of frame section 302 and parallel to ledges 326 and 327 .
- Ledge 328 is provided to receive and support mounting plate 400 .
- the plate 400 can be attached to ledge 328 by screws, nuts and bolts, spot welding or the like, as suggested by the mounting holes.
- Frame brackets 301 - 304 include an outer edge reflector surface 375 which is attached to or formed with the planar surface 325 to form a single frame bracket. As described supra, the surface 375 is, preferably, curved to provide the convex outer surface for frame 300 . In the finished assembly, the ends of brackets 301 - 304 are cut at an angle to provide an aesthetically pleasing mitered corner as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 .
- a representative socket support 310 is shown adjacent to the under surface of bracket 302 to indicate the location thereof in the assembled unit 10 .
- the socket support 310 can be affixed to the bracket 302 by screws 295 which pass through properly sized holes 296 and 297 through the support 310 and the bracket 302 and secured with a nut 359 , a self tapping screw or the like.
- these components can be spot welded together or attached in any other appropriate fashion.
- a light source socket 385 is attached to the socket support by separate screws, bolts or in any appropriate fashion or by screw 295 .
- the socket 385 is conventional in the art.
- a light source 395 typically a fluorescent tube, is inserted into the socket 385 when the unit 10 is assembled. Light from source 395 passes through the translucent portion of mirror 100 . In addition, the reflective shield 375 reflects light from source 395 back through the translucent peripheral portion 103 of mirror 100 which extends beyond the bracket 302 and over the light source 395 (including the respective mounting devices). Thus, a perimeter light ring appears around the mirror 100 .
- FIG. 3 there is shown an enlarged view of the ends of the horizontal and vertical brackets 301 and 303 of the support frame 300 (see FIG. 2 ) with the socket supports 306 and 305 mounted thereon, respectively.
- the socket supports 305 - 306 (representative of supports 305 - 312 in FIG. 1 ) are, typically, angle brackets formed of a sufficiently strong material such as aluminum or the like. These angle brackets, like the frame members, are preferably finished with a highly reflective material such as an anodized surface or the like in order to reflect light from the light source.
- the socket supports 305 - 312 each include one or more apertures thereon to permit attachment to the respective horizontal or vertical bracket by screws, or the like.
- the various components may be welded or riveted together as shown by rivets 365 and 366 in FIG. 3 or may all be fabricated as a unitary member.
- a conventional socket 320 of appropriate design is mounted on each socket support 305 - 312 , typically, by screws, rivets or nuts and bolts 375 A and 375 B to receive the light source which is, typically, a conventional fluorescent lamp 410 .
- the light sources 410 are seen to overlap each other at the respective ends thereof. These ends extend beyond the respective brackets 301 - 304 and the respective corners which form the frame 300 . Thus, referring to FIG. 2 , the ends of the several (typically four) fluorescent tubes extend beyond the four corners of the frame 300 . These overlapped light sources are positioned behind the translucent perimeter of the mirror but not beyond the edges of the sides of the glass of mirror 100 . This arrangement provides a continuous light pattern around the entire perimeter of the mirror without dark corners and without excessive glare from the light sources.
Landscapes
- Mirrors, Picture Frames, Photograph Stands, And Related Fastening Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/197,871 US7559668B1 (en) | 2005-08-08 | 2005-08-08 | Floating mirror |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/197,871 US7559668B1 (en) | 2005-08-08 | 2005-08-08 | Floating mirror |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US7559668B1 true US7559668B1 (en) | 2009-07-14 |
Family
ID=40846222
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/197,871 Expired - Fee Related US7559668B1 (en) | 2005-08-08 | 2005-08-08 | Floating mirror |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US7559668B1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090294605A1 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2009-12-03 | Sony Corporation | Flat panel tv stand providing floating appearance |
US20150059219A1 (en) * | 2013-08-28 | 2015-03-05 | Tobin Remenda | Scrolling Backlit Display with Superimposed Background & Foregoing Graphics, Multi-Color LED Backlit Panel, and Illuminated Housing |
US9921390B1 (en) | 2005-11-23 | 2018-03-20 | Electric Mirror, Llc | Mounting structure for a mirror assembly |
Citations (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1868104A (en) * | 1929-04-08 | 1932-07-19 | Joseph A Hoegger | Mirror dresser |
US1930244A (en) * | 1933-06-24 | 1933-10-10 | Lewinsohn Henry | Illuminated mirror |
US2313838A (en) * | 1941-09-20 | 1943-03-16 | Patent License Corp | Mirror illumination |
US2570569A (en) * | 1947-12-02 | 1951-10-09 | Leathorn Robert | Illuminated mirror assembly |
US2609485A (en) * | 1951-07-09 | 1952-09-02 | Lloyd E Holley | Mirrored cabinet and means to illuminate an object in front thereof |
US2678252A (en) * | 1953-05-08 | 1954-05-11 | Oscar R Swearingen | Toilet cabinet |
US2791675A (en) * | 1955-05-19 | 1957-05-07 | Joseph P Morrison | Illuminated mirror door |
US2876056A (en) * | 1957-10-02 | 1959-03-03 | Nat Steel Cabinet Company | Bathroom cabinet |
US3031159A (en) * | 1960-03-30 | 1962-04-24 | Bull Dog Lock Company | Fixture mounting means and method |
US3038771A (en) * | 1960-06-29 | 1962-06-12 | Gen Bathroom Products Corp | Bathroom cabinet |
US3104830A (en) * | 1963-09-24 | Decorative mirror | ||
US3757103A (en) * | 1971-05-17 | 1973-09-04 | Clairol Inc | Make up mirror |
US4479172A (en) * | 1981-11-13 | 1984-10-23 | Clearplas Ltd | Illuminated mirror assembly |
US4710856A (en) * | 1986-07-07 | 1987-12-01 | Chi Kuan Manufactory Limited | Vanity mirror assembly |
US4884176A (en) * | 1988-05-31 | 1989-11-28 | Pace Industries, Inc. | Tri-view mirrored cabinet with peripheral lighting |
US5140506A (en) * | 1989-02-23 | 1992-08-18 | Robern, Inc. | Bath cabinet and light fixture mounting and finishing apparatus |
GB2256960A (en) * | 1991-06-18 | 1992-12-23 | Keith Ball | Illuminated mirror unit. |
JPH0662938A (en) * | 1992-08-20 | 1994-03-08 | Sekisui Chem Co Ltd | Mirror |
US5398906A (en) * | 1992-05-01 | 1995-03-21 | Aydelott; Richard M. | Wall-marking device |
US5555654A (en) * | 1994-10-31 | 1996-09-17 | Hermann; Mark D. | Frames having lighting to illuminate glass etchings |
US5575552A (en) * | 1994-12-09 | 1996-11-19 | United Technologies Automotive Systems, Inc. | Lighted mirror apparatus |
US5671097A (en) * | 1994-12-14 | 1997-09-23 | Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. | Graffiti resistant mirror |
US20040196652A1 (en) * | 2003-02-27 | 2004-10-07 | Jines Michael D. | Make up station |
-
2005
- 2005-08-08 US US11/197,871 patent/US7559668B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3104830A (en) * | 1963-09-24 | Decorative mirror | ||
US1868104A (en) * | 1929-04-08 | 1932-07-19 | Joseph A Hoegger | Mirror dresser |
US1930244A (en) * | 1933-06-24 | 1933-10-10 | Lewinsohn Henry | Illuminated mirror |
US2313838A (en) * | 1941-09-20 | 1943-03-16 | Patent License Corp | Mirror illumination |
US2570569A (en) * | 1947-12-02 | 1951-10-09 | Leathorn Robert | Illuminated mirror assembly |
US2609485A (en) * | 1951-07-09 | 1952-09-02 | Lloyd E Holley | Mirrored cabinet and means to illuminate an object in front thereof |
US2678252A (en) * | 1953-05-08 | 1954-05-11 | Oscar R Swearingen | Toilet cabinet |
US2791675A (en) * | 1955-05-19 | 1957-05-07 | Joseph P Morrison | Illuminated mirror door |
US2876056A (en) * | 1957-10-02 | 1959-03-03 | Nat Steel Cabinet Company | Bathroom cabinet |
US3031159A (en) * | 1960-03-30 | 1962-04-24 | Bull Dog Lock Company | Fixture mounting means and method |
US3038771A (en) * | 1960-06-29 | 1962-06-12 | Gen Bathroom Products Corp | Bathroom cabinet |
US3757103A (en) * | 1971-05-17 | 1973-09-04 | Clairol Inc | Make up mirror |
US4479172A (en) * | 1981-11-13 | 1984-10-23 | Clearplas Ltd | Illuminated mirror assembly |
US4710856A (en) * | 1986-07-07 | 1987-12-01 | Chi Kuan Manufactory Limited | Vanity mirror assembly |
US4884176A (en) * | 1988-05-31 | 1989-11-28 | Pace Industries, Inc. | Tri-view mirrored cabinet with peripheral lighting |
US5140506A (en) * | 1989-02-23 | 1992-08-18 | Robern, Inc. | Bath cabinet and light fixture mounting and finishing apparatus |
GB2256960A (en) * | 1991-06-18 | 1992-12-23 | Keith Ball | Illuminated mirror unit. |
US5398906A (en) * | 1992-05-01 | 1995-03-21 | Aydelott; Richard M. | Wall-marking device |
JPH0662938A (en) * | 1992-08-20 | 1994-03-08 | Sekisui Chem Co Ltd | Mirror |
US5555654A (en) * | 1994-10-31 | 1996-09-17 | Hermann; Mark D. | Frames having lighting to illuminate glass etchings |
US5575552A (en) * | 1994-12-09 | 1996-11-19 | United Technologies Automotive Systems, Inc. | Lighted mirror apparatus |
US5671097A (en) * | 1994-12-14 | 1997-09-23 | Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. | Graffiti resistant mirror |
US20040196652A1 (en) * | 2003-02-27 | 2004-10-07 | Jines Michael D. | Make up station |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9921390B1 (en) | 2005-11-23 | 2018-03-20 | Electric Mirror, Llc | Mounting structure for a mirror assembly |
US9933595B1 (en) | 2005-11-23 | 2018-04-03 | Electric Mirror, Llc | Mounting structure for a mirror assembly |
US10502928B1 (en) | 2005-11-23 | 2019-12-10 | Electric Mirror, Llc | Mounting structure for a mirror assembly |
US20090294605A1 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2009-12-03 | Sony Corporation | Flat panel tv stand providing floating appearance |
US20120092855A1 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2012-04-19 | Sony Electronics Inc. | Flat panel tv stand providing floating appearance |
US8167253B2 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2012-05-01 | Sony Corporation | Flat panel TV stand providing floating appearance |
US8523299B2 (en) * | 2008-06-02 | 2013-09-03 | Sony Corporation | Flat panel TV stand providing floating appearance |
US20150059219A1 (en) * | 2013-08-28 | 2015-03-05 | Tobin Remenda | Scrolling Backlit Display with Superimposed Background & Foregoing Graphics, Multi-Color LED Backlit Panel, and Illuminated Housing |
US9135839B2 (en) * | 2013-08-28 | 2015-09-15 | Tobin Remenda | Scrolling backlit display with superimposed background and foregoing graphics, multi-color LED backlit panel, and illuminated housing |
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